A 5-1 Week Has Lakehawks Ready for Conference Play

Leesburg, Fla. – It was the final week of preparation for the Lake-Sumter State College softball team, who will begin Mid-Florida Conference play this Saturday.

The final two games of a four game series with St. Pete College got the week started for LSSC, Thursday. Game one was an absolute slugfest for both teams. A combined 30 hits between the two teams resulted in 23 runs crossing home plate in seven innings.

Up 12-9 going into the seventh, Lake-Sumter's Jasmine McQuaig came on for the save opportunity. Although the righty gave up two runs, the defense held up to secure the 12-11 victory.

Nini Underwood and Brooke Ferguson had stellar at-bats going 7 for 9 with eight RBIs, to go along with three stolen bases. Hailey Dobbs notched a three hit performance herself knocking in three runs. Abbey Primavera earned the win in the circle.

Game two was a very different outcome. Scoring was scarce compared to the outburst in game one. After going up 2-0 in the top of the first, the Lakehawk bats fell silent for the next five innings. During that time, the Titans took advantage scoring five runs over six innings. Dobbs was able to scamper across home in the top of the seventh, but it wasn't enough with LSSC falling, 5-3.

Lake-Sumter continued on their road trip and headed to Polk State for a double header Saturday. Pitching and offense led the team to two big wins.

Jasmine McQuaig got the win in game one after her team put 10 runs on the board in six innings. Taylor Turner and Lauryn Markis had two hits each in the 10-2 victory. Taylor Dotson scored three times in the ball game and added one RBI.

The second game was tightly contested through four innings with the Lakehawks leading 2-1. In the top of the fifth, LSSC unloaded for 11 runs on 11 hits including two doubles and one triple. Allie Geier posted her best performance in the circle this season getting the complete game victory, 13-1, in five innings. The lefty gave up three hits while striking out three and allowed zero walks.

In a rare Sunday double header, the Lakehawks hosted Lincoln Land Community College (Il.) in double header action.

It was tough sledding for the Lake-Sumter offense through the first six innings. They managed just five hits, zero runs and were trailing 3-0 heading into the seventh.

Geier led off the inning reaching on an error, which was followed by a walk to Rachel Phelps and a bunt single by Aura Blackburn. Dobbs hit into a fielder's choice bringing in one run, but an errant throw led two Phelps scoring as well. After an intentional walk to Underwood and a fly out to Ferguson, Dotson came to the plate with bases loaded, one out and her team trailing 3-2.

For the third time this season, Dotson ended a ball game in walk-off style. The centerfielder drove a one hopper through the left side to bring in Lucia Esposito from third and Dobbs from second to claim the 4-3 victory. Gillian Heinritz moves to 3-1 on the season after picking up the win.

Game two ended up being just the second time all season the Lakehawks would go into extra innings. Up 3-2 in the top of the seventh, LLCC scored the tying run on a passed ball. LSSC was unable to score in the bottom half moving the game into extras.

Pitching and defense held tight in the top of the eighth for Lake-Sumter. With a runner starting on second, a sacrifice bunt moved her over to third. Back to back strikeouts by Jasmine McQuaig left the Lincoln Logger stranded on third base.

Dotson started the bottom half of the inning on second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jenna Curtis quickly drove in the winning run with a hard shot by the third baseman into left field. McQuaig earned the victory in the team's 4-3 win.

Lake-Sumter improved to 21-12 on the season, matching their win total from 2017. They will take on Wallace State Community College – Hanceville Thursday for a final tune-up before conference play begins. Game time is 1 pm. Saturday, the Lakehawks will head to Jacksonville to take on FSCJ to start the Mid-Florida Conference schedule. The double header will begin at 1 pm.